funkyspelunker:
does anyone know how the diving on mabul is compared to Sipadan? I wanted to go there in the next week or so (sipadan that is) and Borneo Divers has only 3 days available there, they offered to have me stay on Mabul for the rest of the time.
Mabul is 10 minutes by boat from Sipadan, so you should be able to dive in Sipadan anyway. Most divers that spend time in Mabul do 70% of their dives in Sipadan, as the boat will take you there as long as the majority of the divers at Mabul agree to go there (believe you me, they will).
funkyspelunker:
I guess its much diving eh? I just got back from Lembeh Strait and I have to say that muck diving is not really for me, I prefer the corals, walls, sponges and good vis! Please advise. SDL and the other operator (can't remember the name) both did not respond to my emails.
Mabul isn't really muck diving, it's more micro diving. If you're into your Nudi's, it is FANTASTIC! Also there are rare fish to see there that are difficult to find in Sipadan. I recommend no more than 2 days diving in Mabul. Spend the rest in Sipadan. And since you prefer corals, walls, sponges, go Sipadan. Good vis? Well, you know that's the luck of the draw, but it should be good this time of year. (you're at the tail end of the "best vis" season).
funkyspelunker:
BTW, are my eyes fooling me (because they're not big and round) or is there some racism on this thread in slamming Asian divers? I happen to be Asian (born in the US) and I don't go around with a bazooka underwater, so maybe the person who wrote that comment can think before making such a blanket statement (if indeed that is how it was meant, if not.. my apologies). I've seen plenty of other races do some stupid things underwater, but I didn't attribute it to thier skin color, just that they were ignorant people.
Perhaps I wrote it, and I meant no offense, especially since I am 100% Asian. I just tell it like I see it. It's not just me whom agree's to it, the local Malaysian Divemasters agree too. It is not intended to be a "blanket statement". You are quite correct though, that many people do silly things underwater. In fact, I met my girlfriend that way... she tried a fast ascent at "Lobsters Lair" in Sipidan. Silly girl. That flipper grab technique works wonders!
Dive safely! And, also *ahem* if you're into hammerheads, they're there too. You just have to know where to look.
PS. Strong Sipidan Suggestion: Because of the ease of entry and locality, do as many dives as you can in Sipadan, because Mabul isn't as convenient. 5 dives a day was what I usually did, with the odd 6 dive day. The drop off is so close to the LDC (about 20 meters away). Hope that's sufficient.
